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OCTOBER 1, 2008
RCGA Endorses Proposition M to Expand Metro Service in the Region.
At their September 18th meeting, the Executive Committee of the RCGA Board of Directors unanimously endorsed Proposition M, the proposed half-cent sales tax increase in St. Louis County to fund Metro operations and future expansions. In supporting Proposition M, the RCGA stated that Metro is vital to the economic growth and sustainability of the St. Louis region, having spurred $15 billion in investments around the stations since Metrolink opened in 1993. Ridership on Metrolink and Metrobus is at an all-time high, with this year's boarding estimated to reach 60 million. Recognizing their recent success, the system was awarded the 2008 Urban Transit Excellence Award by the Federal Transit Agency. Metro now serves 96% of the jobs and residents of St. Louis City and St. Louis County, and enables students get to their colleges and universities.
In November, St. Louis County voters will decide whether to reduce or expand transit service. If the ballot measures passes, Metro will have a stable funding source and will plan for major system expansions such as increased express buses, high-speed bus service and bus rapid transit lines, and an expanded Metrolink line to north and west St. Louis County. If Proposition M fails, Metro will be forced to eliminate 28 of its 60 existing bus routes, including all service west of I-270. Metro could eliminate all express routes and night service in two years, if new revenue is not found. The increased sales tax will cost the average St. Louis County family just 14 cents a day, a very small investment to improve regional mobility, reduce road congestion, help air quality, and strengthen the quality of life in our region.
The RCGA is a founding member of the Greater St. Louis Transit Alliance, a coalition of business, labor and transit users advocating the passage of Proposition M. The Alliance, whose members include BJC HealthCare, Washington University, University of Missouri-St. Louis, St. Louis Labor Council, and the St. Louis County Municipal League, and Citizens for Modern Transit, seeks to galvanize area employers and the public on the need for a strong regional transit system. The RCGA urges its member companies to join the Greater St. Louis Transit Alliance and to support a strong Metro system, because "Use It or Not - We All Need It".
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RCGA Endorses Missouri Proposition A to Support Schools and Make Missouri Gaming Industry Competitive.
The Executive Committee of the RCGA Board endorsed Missouri Proposition A to bring Missouri gaming on a level-playing field with neighboring states and to raise revenues for school districts across the State. Proposition A will ask Missouri voters in November to eliminate the $500 loss-limit at gaming facilities throughout the State, raise the gaming revenue tax by 5% and limit the number of casinos licensed in the State. When Missouri authorized gaming in 1992, only Illinois and Iowa had gaming operations next to Missouri. Now all of the neighboring states (except Tennessee) have casinos, but none have a loss limit. In fact, Missouri is the only jurisdiction in the world with loss limits at its casinos.
Elimination of the loss limit is expected to generate more than $100 million a year in new public school revenues for the school foundation formula. Proposition A would prohibit the Legislature from supplanting the new gaming revenue from K-12 education funding. Proposition A would also provide additional revenue for higher education, early childhood education, veterans programs, and local governments from the increased gaming tax. By putting Missouri casinos on an equal footing with neighboring casinos, there will be greater opportunities for new construction of hotels, restaurants, and entertainment options, as Missouri gaming facilities will be able to attract players from all over the country. This new non-gaming revenue will also create more jobs for the economy.
The RCGA joins St. Charles Partners for Progress, the Partnership for Downtown St. Louis, the Springfield, Kansas City, and Missouri Chambers of Commerce, law enforcement officials and education leaders in support of Proposition A. This proposition is an opportunity to expand the regional economy and improve our region's schools. For more information on Proposition A, go to www.YesonPropA.com
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Focus on Illinois: Abengoa Ethanol Plant Begins Construction at Tri-City Port District
Carl LaFoy, Project Development Manager for Abengoa Bionergy of Illinois, provided the RCGA's Illinois Public Affairs Committee last Friday an insider's briefing on the new $200 million ethanol plant in Madison, Illinois. The RCGA, the Tri-City Regional Port District, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Madison County and local Illinois elected leaders worked collaboratively over the past two years on this major economic development project.
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Aerial view of the Abengoa Bioenergy site at Tri City Regional Port District
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Construction on the plant will begin this year, thanks to a $4 million grant through the Illinois Renewable Fuels Development Program. Governor Rod Blagojevich announced the grant to Abengoa at their groundbreaking ceremony earlier this month. The plant is situated on a 79-acre parcel within the Tri-City Port District and is designed to produce 88 million gallons of ethanol annually using traditional cereal grains as feedstock. LaFoy said that company will also manufacture high protein cattle feed from spent grain from its production processes. When open in November 2009, the plant will provide a new direct annual payroll of $4 million and more than 150 trucks will come through the facility each day.
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| Ameren Presents Plan to Generate Electricity For Missouri's Energy Future
 The RCGA Public Policy Council's September 26th meeting featured a presentation from Richard Mark, Ameren's Senior Vice President for Missouri Energy Delivery, about his company's plans to meet the growing needs of its service area. Since 1990, electricity consumption by AmerenUE customers increased by 50%, and in twenty years, consumption will jump another 30%. Mark talked about the need for Ameren to build a new baseload plant by 2018. In addition to increased capacity, Ameren is also purchasing more from renewable energy sources and encouraging energy efficiency.
In July, Ameren completed a Combined Construction and Operating License Application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for a new nuclear power plant in Callaway County. The current Callaway plant was constructed in 1984 and generates 19% of Ameren's total power. The NRC will make a decision on the application in late 2010, and it would be 10-year process for licensing and construction.
Callaway II would cost about $6 billion and could be on-line by 2018, according to Mark. To make this size expenditure feasible, Ameren believes they need to recover costs during construction, which is not allowed under current Missouri law. Currently, eleven states allow construction while in progress (CWIP) financing for electrical plants. Mark said that debt financing would add up to $3 billion to the cost of the plant. For more information on Ameren's plan for the Callaway plant go to www.ameren.com/callaway.
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| RCGA and St. Charles Partners for Progress Co-Sponsor 9th Congressional District Candidates Debate on October 15th
The RCGA and Partners for Progress will hold an event to feature the two candidates for Missouri's 9th Congressional District seat. Judy Baker, the Democratic nominee, and Blaine Luetkemeyer, the Republican nominee, are trying to fill U.S. Representative Kenny Hulshof's seat, who is running for Missouri Governor. The district includes western St. Charles County, Franklin, and Warren County in the St. Louis region. The event will be at Barat Academy in Dardenne Prairie on Wednesday morning October 15th from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. and includes a reception and debate.
Baker has served in the Missouri House of Representatives since 2004, representing Columbia. Her work experience includes manager of a University of Missouri physicians practice, owner of a health care consulting firm, adjunct professor of managerial economics, and part-time administrator of a humanitarian organization. Luetkemeyer served in the Missouri House of Representatives from 1999 to 2005 and was appointed by Governor Blunt to serve as Director of Tourism from 2005 to 2007. He is also owner of Luetkemeyer Insurance Agency, the Bank of St. Elizabeth, and operates his great-grandfather's farm in St. Elizabeth.
The reception and debate is free, but registration is required. Click here to reserve your seat for this great opportunity to meet our area's next Congressional representative!
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UPCOMING EVENTS
. October 15th: Missouri 9th Congressional District Debate with Judy Baker, the Democratic nominee, and Blaine Luetkemeyer, the Republican nominee at Barat Academy at 1 Academy Place in Dardenne Prairie. The event is hosted by the St. Louis RCGA and Partners for Progress of St. Charles County. A meet the candidates session will occur from 8:30 to 9 a.m. with the debate scheduled from 9 to 10 a.m. Bob Priddy, news director of The Missourinet, will serve as debate moderator. Registration required to attend, please click here to register.
. October 29th: RCGA Energy and Environmental Council meets from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the One Metropolitan Square Conference Center - Suite 990 in downtown St. Louis. Christopher Standlee of Abengoa Bionergy of Illinois talks about their new ethanol plant in Madison, Illinois and Liz Forrestal of Missouri Votes Conservation presents the Missouri Clean Energy Initiative - Proposition C on Missouri's November general election ballot. This is a free luncheon meeting, but reservations are required. Please contact Eric Schneider at eschneider@stlrcga.org or at (314) 444-1148 to reserve your seat.
.October 30th: The RCGA Public Policy Speaker Series welcomes internationally-reknown pollster John Zogby on for a luncheon speech at the Chase Park Plaza Hotel in St. Louis from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Mr. Zogby, President and CEO of Zogby International, has been praised as "the most accurate pollster" and "the pace setter in the polling business" by media outlets across the world.
"John Zogby always knows the pulse of America - and in this book he shares his many insights into who we are and what we think. I will return to his findings again and again."-Tom Brokaw, author of Boom! and The Greatest Generation
Mr. Zog by will speak about the 2008 Presidential Campaign and his new book "The Way We'll Be" - his portrait of America and where we are headed politically, culturally and spiritually. Praised by political, media, and marketing leaders, it is considered the must read for the 2008 campaign season.
The event costs $30 for RCGA members; $45 for non-members. To register go to www.stlrcga.org/events
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The RCGAdvocate is published periodically to inform RCGA members and government officials about important public policy matters at the state, federal and local levels. It seeks to provide timely, in-depth coverage on regional issues, and, at times, to call RCGA members to action. We welcome your comments and suggestions.
Richard C.D. Fleming ~ President & CEO ~ (314) 444-1100 ~ dfleming@stlrcga.org
Chip Casteel ~ Senior V.P. of Public Policy ~ (314) 444-1107 ~ ccasteel@stlrcga.org
Susan Stauder ~ V.P. of Infrastructure & Public Policy ~ (314) 444-1155 ~ sstauder@stlrcga.org
Eric Schneider ~ Senior Director of Public Policy Research ~ (314) 444-1148 ~ eschneider@stlrcga.org
Kevin Riggs ~ Director of Illinois Government Affairs ~ (314) 444-1108 ~ kriggs@stlrcga.org
Christine Snively ~ Project Manager ~ (314) 444-1144 ~ csnively@stlrcga.org
Marlo Young ~ Executive Assistant for Public Policy ~ (314) 444-1134 ~ myoung@stlrcga.org
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